Daily Eats

I'm ashamed to say that I've been eating a lot of crap lately and justify it with the excuse that I'm running so much.  Now, running shouldn't be an excuse, but really, after I run 16-20 miles.... I get the munchies like you wouldn't believe! My brain wants to replenish the glycogen loss.
Anyways, I can't dwell on my poor eating decisions.  I have to decide to make better decisions the next time and move on.  Here's something we've been enjoying for breakfast lately.... 

OATMEAL!  

Made with steel cut oats.  Mmm....

I added unflavored protein powder, light soy milk, fresh blueberries and walnuts.  It is delish and highly addicting!

I have been anti-carb for so long, but I find that they're good in moderation when training for marathons. LOVE me some steel cut oats! 

SD #6: From the Kitchen

I made my special sugar cookies on snow day #6.  After making a batch of those, I decided I wanted to try making chocolate rolled cookies.  Here's a photo of the cookie dough taken with my iPhone....

cookies.... to be continued.

The past few snow days consisted of too many poor food choices.  I wouldn't let myself fall into that trap again.  So, I've decided to post my "Daily Eats" again for a few days.

DAILY EATS

Breakfast: Green Monster Smoothie-  1/3 frozen banana, frozen blueberries, fresh spinach, golden flax, vanilla protein powder, unsweetened Silk soymilk, water, and ice.

Lunch:  Green Monster Smoothie- same as breakfast, but in a fancier cup

Dinner: egg, 2% string cheese, Laughing Cow cheese, and baby carrots

I went to bed hungry.  : (  

Daily Eats

B: The usual... Coffee (2 shots espresso, 6oz unsweetened soymilk, 2 pumps sugar free coconut Torani syrup, 1/2 pump sugar free almond Torani syrup, 2 pumps sugar free white chocolate Torani syfup). I had 2 of these today. = )

L: Low-Carb PIZZA: A light original Flatout (made with 100% stone ground whole wheat) that's really low carb and loaded with fiber (6 carbs, 9 grams fiber, 90 calories, and 0 sugar). I topped it with Bertolli Alfredo sauce, fresh garlic, fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, artichoke heart quarters, mesquite grilled chicken pieces, shredded 2% mozzarella, and pizza seasoning from Penzey's served with a side of fresh broccoli and carrots. This was my hubby's plate... I only allow myself 1/2 a Flatout but load it up with a lot of toppings. YUM!!!

http://www.flatoutbread.com/products/flatout-wraps/flatout-light/light-original/

D: Egg salad with a bit of hickory smoked tuna thrown in on a romaine lettuce leaf along with a side of zucchini slices and tomato basil hummus (from Trader Joe's, of course!). This was David's plate. He's currently on a low carb diet too.

And then, there's me....

Daily Eats...

has been on vacation! I've been in OKC and didn't have any time to post what I ate every day.

I went to OKC to run my first half marathon. My body used a ton of calories (energy) during those 13.1 miles and I did allow myself to cheat that one day, which was probably a bad idea. I ate a ton after the run, but I'll tell you more on that later. My metabolism must be going crazy right now because I seem to be much hungrier than the normal. My taste buds and appetite still would rather be on vacation that dieting again. Oh well... I still have work to do!

Today was my first full day back in STL and I've made horrible choices. I skipped eating something for breakfast, had a protein bar as a late lunch, an iced decaf sugar free vanilla soy latte as an afternoon snack, teriyaki chicken with edamame and carrot sticks for dinner..... followed with flattened banana and peanut butter (too much peanut butter) for dessert. And I might have even popped a few nuts in my mouth during the day (those little suckers add up fast!). Oops.

Tomorrow is a new day and I will be making better choices.

*****

My parents treated me to several wonderful meals while in OKC. I didn't get a photo of everything, but here are a few shots I took with my phone...

Jimmy's Egg is my favorite breakfast joint in OKC. Dad picked me up from the airport and took me there where we had lunch with my Mom while she was on break from work.

I ordered a 2-egg Pineapple Express Omelette (2 eggs, ham, pineapple, and cream cheese)

with cottage cheese and fresh fruit.

Oh, yes! We also went to Jimmy's Egg for brunch the day before my half-marathon.

I had a 2-egg omelette with bacon (major splurge!), avocado,

and cream cheese with cottage cheese and fresh fruit on the side.

My Aunt Amy purchased my ticket to the Pasta Dinner the night before the marathon so I could hear her speak. They dished me up a huge plate of spaghetti, salad, breadsticks (turned those yummy things down kindly), 2 3-inch sandwiches from Quiznos, and a chocolate chip cookie from Carl's Jr., along with bottled water. I gutted the sandwiches and put everything on my salad. After I scarfed that down I ate the chunks of tomatoes from the spaghetti sauce (LOVE tomatoes!) and broke off a couple tiny pieces of the cookie. I gave the remaining cookie to my Dad. He loves chocolate chip cookies!

I'm so grateful I was able to hear Amy speak. It was a memorable evening!

I don't know if I could ever get tired of Jimmy's Egg. Yes, I did eat there

3 times at 3 different locations in 6 days.

After spending a couple of hours at the spa, my parents took me to lunch.

I ordered a 2-egg omelette with ham and swiss cheese

along with cottage cheese and fresh fruit.

It was AMAZING!!!

Thank you for treating me, Mom & Dad!!!

Daily Eats

4/10/10

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps sugar free white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps sugar free caramel Torani syrup, 4 oz. unsweetened soymilk, hot water), 2% Greek yogurt with 1/2 banana, a 3 Tbsp. quick oats, some natural creamy peanut butter, and 3 pumps sugar free vanilla Torani syrup (YUMMO!!!)

I made the hubster a yummy breakfast of 3 eggs with

2% cheddar and 1/2 a pork chop. Delish!

S: Iced coffee (3 shots decaf espresso, 2 pumps sugar free white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps sugar free caramel Torani syrup, unsweetened soymilk, ice, and water) and 1/2 frozen banana with some roasted salted pecans. So good!

D: Pork chop and chef salad... I'll probably have a late-night snack soon.

Daily Eats

4/8/2010

B: Iced Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 shots decaf espresso, 2 pumps sugar free coconut Torani syrup, 1/2 pump sugar free almond Torani syrup, 2 pumps sugar free chocolate Torani syrup)

L: 3oz. pork chop, boiled egg, and 2 (giant) cheese cubes

This egg was perfectly boiled. I just can't stand it when

they get those dark rings around the yolk. Yuck!

D: Turkey & vegetable no pasta lasagna (93/7 ground turkey, tomato paste, seasonings, cottage cheese, eggs, mozzarella cheese, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, spinach, and tomatoes) and Peaches 'n Cream Jello salad (sugar free peach jello with no sugar added peaches, 2% cottage cheese, and crushed pecans)

Snack: 2 celery sticks with peanut butter, 3 strawberries with a dab of cool whip, 4 cheese cubes, and a few nuts

Daily Eats

4/7/2010

B: Iced Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 shots decaf espresso, sugar free Torani syrups, unsweetened soymilk, water, and ice)

L: Edamame, string cheese, and lime cottage cheese jello salad

Snack: Iced Coffee (2 shots decaf espresso, sugar free white chocolate Torani syrup, sugar free raspberry Torani syrup, half-n-half, water, and ice)

D: Pork Chop, Greek Salad (spinach with feta, kalamata olives, and greek dressing), 3 cheese cubes

Dessert: 3 sugar free popsicles @ 16 calories each

Daily Eats

My time is up with "Daily Eats," but I feel I should keep it going a while longer for accountability purposes. The little splurges of sugar I had during the weekend triggered something leaving me with an enormous sweet tooth. I guess it's not smart for a former carbohydrate addict to have an occasional carbohydrate just like it isn't smart for a former alcoholic to have some alcohol or a smoker a cigarette... you get my point.

I enjoyed 2 sugar free popsicles today and that still didn't satisfy my sweet tooth. Luckily I'm a crazy person that keeps a hefty stock of pantry items.... especially a tower of sugar free Jello. = )

Here's my dessert for the evening and it was loaded with protein. Not only did it satisfy my sweet tooth, but the protein and fat satisfied my tummy for hours.

Lime & Cottage Cheese Jello Salad

Ingredients:

1 pkg. sugar free lime Jello

1/2 (or 1) can crushed pineapple, drained and rinsed

1 small carton 2% cottage cheese

1/4-1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Directions:

Prepare Jello according to package directions.

Chill until thickened slightly (60-90 minutes).

Add pineapple, cottage cheese, and pecans and beat until frothy on top.

Chill until set.

* I used 1/2 can of the pineapple because an entire can has

too many carbs/sugar for my liking.

David is NOT a fan of cottage cheese so I made him his own Jello dessert. He had a bowl of sugar free orange Jello with my leftover pineapple and some mandarin oranges. YUM!

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF vanilla Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF english toffee Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water)

L: Smoked salmon & spinach crepe, mozzarella caprese, 2% LF cottage cheese

the yummy crepes from Trader Joe's

Dave's happy plate 

(he does NOT like cottage cheese)

my happy plate ; )

(3 crepes is 1 serving, but I don't normally eat carbs, so I settled for 1 crepe)

D: Grilled FF Hebrew National Hot Dog (40 cal) topped with some turkey chili and 2% cheeses, cooked broccoli with 2% Velveeta cheese, edamame crisps and garlic hummus, and a banana-oatmeal cookie

Today was kind of a junk eating day.  Hopefully I'll be back to my normal good eating habits tomorrow.  

Daily Eats

3/24/10

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 4 pumps SF vanilla Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water), S'mores Pure Protein Bar

L: Tuna salad (100 calorie packet) and a 2% LF mozzarella string cheese

D: Chili Relleno (baked) with FF refried beans, 2% cheese, Fage Greek yogurt, and Tostitos salsa

*******

So, I skipped yesterday's posts about my meals.  I've been pretty busy and I think I might be getting sick.  YUCK!  

I'm going to try to go to bed early tonight, but first I have to submit a job application.

Happy times.  

Daily Eats

3/22/10

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 4 pumps SF vanilla Torani syrup, 8oz. unsweetened soymilk, hot water), 2 LF mozzarella string cheese and a banana

L: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein Bar, some popcorn and Minute Maid Light Lemonade

D: Grilled Butterflied Jumbo Shrimp with cocktail sauce, Caesar salad (Light Caesar Dressing by Ken's Steakhouse) with tomatoes, unsweetened flattened banana with peanut butter, and unsweetened dried mango

Daily Eats

3/21/10

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF caramel Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water)

L: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein Bar and a grande Americano from Starbucks (major YUM!)

D: Scrambled eggs with 2% cheeses and salsa, FF refried beans with 2% cheeses and salsa

*********

Long working weekend….. Ugh…

Daily Eats

3/20/2010

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF caramel Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water)

L: Beef Burger Patty with 2% Cheeses and Ketchup, Cottage Cheese, Pistachios, and Dried Unsweetened Mango

D: Chocolate Peanut Butter Pure Protein Bar, a Banana, and Cocoa Roasted Almonds (100 calorie packet)

*********

I went to bed hungry last night.  That is not something I like to do, but by the time I got home from work it was really late and I don't allow myself to wat right before bed.  I decided to drink a big glass of Crystal Light.  It satisfied me just enough so I could fall to sleep.  Maybe missing a meal did me some good because I'm down another pound.  YAY!

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF caramel Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water), Banana, and 2% Cottage Cheese

S: Fruit Chews (80 calorie pack) while on my run… I needed the boost of energy from the glucose 

L: Sirloin Steak, Cottage Cheese, and Dried Unsweetened Mango

D: Ground Beef Patty with Grape Tomatoes, Dill Pickle Spear,  Ketchup and LF Mayo, Edamame Crisps with LF Smoked Gouda, Irish Cheddar and Brie, 1 Unsweetened Dried Mango Slice, Unsweetened Flattened Banana with some Peanut Butter, and a small piece of Dark Chocolate

S: Iced Decaf Coffee (decaf coffee, ice, water, 3 pumps SF coconut Torani syrup, 1 pump SF chocolate Torani syrup, 1/2 pump SF almond Torani syrup, and 1 1/2 Tbsp half-n-half)

*********

I completed my farthest distance today….

 9.2 miles!  

Go me!

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF caramel Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water)

S: Iced decaf americano (4 shots decaf espresso, ice, water, 6 pumps SF vanilla syrup (Starbucks), and 1 1/2 Tbsp half-n-half)

L: Taco Salad from McAllister's Deli (chili, lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses, salsa, LF sour cream, black olives) and 3 tortilla chips

D: Scrambled eggs with 2% colby monterey jack cheese and Tostitos salsa, pistachios, unsweetened dried mango, and a Godiva extra dark chocolate truffle (Godiva Rewards freebie!)  = )

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 4 pumps SF English Toffee Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp half-n-half, hot water)

L: Hickory smoked turkey with mustard, 2% cottage cheese, and NSA (no sugar added) bread and butter pickle slices

S: Natural Almonds and Walnuts (100 calorie pack)

D: Scrambled eggs with cheddar and lots of Tostitos salsa, unsweetened flattened banana with peanut butter, and unsweetened  dried mango

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Daily Eats

B: Iced Coffee (3 shots espresso, 2 pumps SF white chocolate Torani syrup, 2 pumps SF caramel Torani syrup, 8oz. unsweetened soymilk, water, and ice) and a Chocolate Fudge Pure Protein Bar (8am)

L: Leftover beef fajita meat, black beans, and pepper stir fry with Fage Greek yogurt and Tostitos salsa (3:30pm)

D: Leftover beef fajitas (sirloin steak seasoned with chili powder and lime), fire roasted peppers and onions (from Trader Joe's), Fage Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), Tostitos salsa, a bit of shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, and a few pistachios (8pm)

Jenn's Tip of the Day:

Eat slow and chew thoroughly.  Remember that you eat to live, not live to eat.  Food is simply vitamins, nutrients, and fuel for our bodies.

*********

I'm sure you noticed that I have eaten a lot of fajita meat in the past 24 hours.  It's much easier to cook for an army than it is for two people especially when I purchase meat from Sams.  Well, at least I got my Mexican fix and I always enjoy leftovers.   = )

Daily Eats

B: Iced Coffee X 2 (2 shots espresso, 3 pumps SF coconut Torani syrup, 1/2 pump SF almond Torani syrup, 1 pump SF chocolate Torani syrup, 8oz. unsweetened soymilk, water, and ice) (noon-2)

L: Tuna salad (with light mayo, no sugar added sweet relish, and mustard) on a bed of mixed greens (20 grams protein in the tuna!) and 5 cocoa roasted almonds (2pm) 

D: Beef fajitas (sirloin steak seasoned with chili powder and lime), fire roasted peppers and onions (from Trader Joe's), 2Tbsp guacamole (prepared by Trader Joe's), 1 Tbsp Fage Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), a bit of shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, and 4 tortilla chips (7pm)

Jenn's Tip of the Day:

Eat 3 meals a day (only snack if it's really needed).  If you eat less than 3 meals a day you might end up overeating at meals.  Who doesn't eat too much food too fast when their starving?  Seriously!  I used to be able to shove it in pretty fast back in the day.  It would often only take me 10 minutes to eat, but then 20 minutes later I would be miserable.  

Yes, I am guilty of not eating my 3 meals a day on occasion.  Since I slept through the morning hours I didn't eat breakfast today.  There were calories and protein in the unsweetened soymilk that was in my coffee so it sort of counts.  When I made my dinner plate I was thinking about the possibility of enjoying some pistachios this evening if I'm still hungry.  Thinking of them made me realize that I'll need to save some room because I will NOT overeat.  Portion control is a huge key in my dieting success.  

*********

I slept a lot last night… probably a good 11 hours.  Apparently I was pretty tired.  I lounged around for a good chunk of the early afternoon and then hit the gym which felt great.  I needed to go for a long run today, but I just couldn't bring myself to get out there and run.  I was feeling a little blue because today was "Black Monday" for 4th year Medical Students.  It became very real that we'll be dealing with finding out whether or not David matches to a Residency Program at this very time next year.  It's overwhelming, terrifying, and exciting all at the same time.  

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 3 pumps SF vanilla Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water) and a Strawberry Shortcake Pure Protein Bar (8:30am)

D: Grilled Mesquite Chicken Fillet with cheddar, light mayo and pickles, brie with a few edamame crisps, unsweetened flattened banana with peanut butter, a few dark chocolate peanut M&Ms  (5pm)  = )

S: Pistachios

Nothing too exciting in today's menu.  I had a crazy fun weekend and there wasn't a lot of time for meals, so I spent a lot of time starving.  Luckily I was busy, so I wasn't able to pay too much attention to my hunger pains.  

The time change seemed to really mess me up this weekend.  I'm not one to normally have a problem with that stuff, but I sure did this time around.  My sleeping, eating, and exercise schedule is way off.  Hopefully I'll get my healthy eating habits back on track and make it out to the trail for a long 9-10 mile run tomorrow.  Let's pray the weather will cooperate.  

Happy Pi Day!!!

Daily Eats

B: Coffee (2 shots espresso, 3 pumps SF vanilla Torani syrup, 1 1/2 Tbsp. half-n-half, hot water)

Brunch:   My In-Laws took me out for brunch at FirstWatch today….. YUM!

Healthy Turkey^™ 

Egg white omelette with diced turkey, spinach, feta cheese, diced onions and tomatoes. Served with a dry english muffin (I ditched the muffin and ordered fresh fruit instead)

D: 8oz. Black bean (pureed) soup, light havarti, light smoked gouda, and brie cheeses with a few edamame crisps, 3oz. Leg of Lamb, a bite of pretzel roll, and 6 dark chocolate peanut M&Ms